Optically adjustable light module

Abstract

An optically adjustable light module, such as a daytime running lamp of a motor vehicle, includes a housing. At least one light source is rotatable about a rotational axis and has an optical axis, the light source being disposed in an interior of the housing. A direction adjuster is disposed at an exterior of the housing. The housing is sealed against moisture. Movement of the direction adjuster rotates the light source about the rotational axis and adjusts a position of the optical axis.

1 . An optically adjustable light module comprising:
 a housing;   at least one light source which is rotatable about a rotational axis and has an optical axis, said light source being disposed in said housing; and   a direction adjuster disposed at an exterior of said housing;   the interior of said housing being sealed against moisture;   wherein movement of said direction adjuster rotates said light source about the rotational axis and adjusts a position of the optical axis.   
     
     
         2 . The light module of  claim 1  wherein said light source comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         3 . The light module of  claim 1  wherein said light source comprises a reflector and/or lens system and a light emitting diode positioned such that light from said light emitting diode is reflected by said reflector and/or lens system. 
     
     
         4 . The light module of  claim 1  comprising at least two of said light sources, at least two bodies disposed in said housing, each said light source being connected to one of said bodies, fasteners each connecting one of said bodies to said housing along the rotational axis, an arm connecting said bodies together, wherein said movement of said direction adjuster rotates a first one of said bodies, which via movement of said arm, rotates a second one of said bodies such that an optical axis of said light source of said first body is moved simultaneously and in parallel with an optical axis of said light source of said second body. 
     
     
         5 . The light module of  claim 1  wherein said direction adjuster rotates in a fixed relation with said light source. 
     
     
         6 . The light module of  claim 1  being configured and arranged to be mounted to a motor vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The light module of  claim 6  which is a daytime running light for said motor vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The light module of  claim 4  comprising thermally conductive material disposed between each of said bodies and said housing. 
     
     
         9 . The light module of  claim 4  comprising printed circuit boards each connected to one of said bodies, wherein each said light source includes a light emitting diode electrically connected to one of said printed circuit boards. 
     
     
         10 . The light module of  claim 9  comprising thermally conductive material disposed between said printed circuit boards and said bodies. 
     
     
         11 . The light module of  claim 1  wherein said direction adjuster includes alignment indicia, said direction adjuster being positioned and arranged such that said alignment indicia is aligned parallel to said optical axis. 
     
     
         12 . An optically adjustable light module comprising:
 at least two light sources each of which has an optical axis;   at least two bodies that are rotatable about a rotational axis, each said light source being connected to one of said bodies;   an arm connecting said bodies together;   a housing that receives said light sources, said bodies and said arm in an interior thereof;   fasteners each connecting one of said bodies to said housing along the rotational axis; and   a direction adjuster disposed at an exterior of said housing;   the interior of said housing being sealed against moisture;   wherein movement of said direction adjuster rotates a first one of said bodies, which, via movement of said arm, rotates a second one of said bodies such that the optical axis of said light source of said first body is moved simultaneously and in parallel with the optical axis of said light source of said second body until the optical axes are parallel with a longitudinal reference axis.   
     
     
         13 . The light module of  claim 12  wherein each of said light sources comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         14 . The light module of  claim 13  wherein each of said light sources comprises a reflector and/or lens system and said light emitting diode is positioned such that light from said light emitting diode is reflected by said reflector and/or lens system. 
     
     
         15 . The light module of  claim 12  wherein said direction adjuster engages said first body so to rotate in a fixed relation with said first body. 
     
     
         16 . The light module of  claim 12  being configured and arranged to be mounted to a motor vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The light module of  claim 16  which is a daytime running light for said motor vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The light module of  claim 12  comprising thermally conductive material disposed between each of said bodies and said housing. 
     
     
         19 . The light module of  claim 12  comprising printed circuit boards each connected to one of said bodies, wherein each said light source includes a light emitting diode electrically connected to one of said printed circuit boards. 
     
     
         20 . The light module of  claim 19  comprising thermally conductive material disposed between said printed circuit boards and said bodies. 
     
     
         21 . The light module of  claim 12  wherein said direction adjuster includes alignment indicia, said direction adjuster being positioned and arranged such that said alignment indicia is aligned parallel to all of said optical axes. 
     
     
         22 . The light module of  claim 12  comprising heat transfer fins disposed in thermal communication with said housing. 
     
     
         23 . The light module of  claim 12  wherein said direction adjuster includes a vertically extending stem portion that engages said first body, comprising a gasket supported by said housing between said direction adjuster and said first body, said gasket being disposed around said stem portion. 
     
     
         24 . An optically adjustable light module comprising:
 at least two light emitting diodes each of which has an optical axis;   at least two bodies each of said bodies being rotatable about a rotational axis;   printed circuit boards each connected to one of said bodies;   each said light emitting diode being electrically connected to one of said printed circuit boards;   an arm connecting said bodies together;   a housing that receives said light emitting diodes, said printed circuit boards, said bodies and said arm in an interior thereof;   fasteners each connecting one of said bodies to said housing along the rotational axis;   a direction adjuster disposed at an exterior of said housing, wherein said direction adjuster directly engages a first of said bodies so to rotate in a fixed relation with said first body; and   the interior of said housing being sealed against moisture;   wherein movement of said direction adjuster rotates said first body, which, via movement of said arm, rotates a second one of said bodies such that the optical axis of said light emitting diode of said first body is moved simultaneously and in parallel with the optical axis of said light emitting diode of said second body until the optical axes are parallel with a longitudinal reference axis.   
     
     
         25 . The light module of  claim 24  comprising heat transfer fins disposed in thermal communication with said housing. 
     
     
         26 . The light module of  claim 24  being configured and arranged to be mounted to a motor vehicle. 
     
     
         27 . The light module of  claim 26  which is a daytime running light for said motor vehicle. 
     
     
         28 . The light module of  claim 24  wherein said direction adjuster includes a vertically extending stem portion that directly engages said first body, wherein said seal comprises a gasket supported by said housing between said direction adjuster and said first body, said gasket being disposed around said stem portion. 
     
     
         29 . The light module of  claim 24  comprising a light transmitting cover connected to a front of said housing.